Ethics Reform
Representative Sánchez supported the ethics reform bill enacted into law that provides numerous layers of accountability to ensure government is being operated in an ethical, fair, just, and open manner.
The bill covers lobbying and ethics, open meetings, campaign finance, and conduct of public employees.
The lobbying section re-defines what lobbyists can and cannot do. It adds increased campaign finance reporting requirements, and it substantially increases fines and jail-time required for those who violate lobbying laws. In general, it has a high level of accountability, including prison terms and large fines for any candidate who doesn’t disclose their fundraising methods in a timely or proper manner. All of this should go a long way towards keeping government in the Commonwealth clean, accountable, and transparent.
Pension Reform
In response to individuals who exploit loopholes to increase pension payments at a high cost to the state, Sánchez supported landmark legislation passed into law in 2008 that eliminates the worst offenses in the state pension system. The bill shuts down loopholes in current law, saves taxpayer money, and helps restore public trust in the state oversight of public pensions.
No citizen should have to worry about potential holes in the system out of which their hard earned savings may fall victim to unscrupulous individuals. It is important for state employees to take pride in their hard work and dedication to the Commonwealth. The state’s pension system is an important benefit for state workers who chose generally low-paying careers in public service over the private sector, and forgo Social Security. This is a very important first step toward restoring public confidence and ensuring equitable treatment between retirees.
Transportation Reform
Sánchez supported the enactment of a sweeping transportation reform package that eliminated the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, bringing down insurance and pension costs and aligning state transportation agencies to implement cost savings and efficiencies.
Since taking office, Sánchez has worked with his constituents and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in advocating for the maintenance and historic preservation of parkways in his district. He successfully worked with members to eliminate the transfer of DCR parkways and bridges to the Highway Division of the newly created Massachusetts Transportation and Infrastructure Authority. As a result, the historic Jamaicaway and Arborway continue to be maintained as part of the Emerald Necklace parks system, and not viewed as highways. The legislature has made a lot of progress in recent years in working to maintain these parkways through the Historic Parkways Initiative and the development of the Historic Parkways Preservation and Treatment Guidelines—the Legislature has acknowledged that parkways are not highways and are an integral part of the parks they were designed to connect.
In addition to protecting DCR parks and bridges, the transportation reforms contained in the legislation created new pension rules for new Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) workers, put workers under the auspices of the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), which lowers healthcare costs and creates a more efficient structure.
The unified transportation organization created, known as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), oversees four divisions: Highway (including Turnpike assets, Tobin Bridge, and DCR bridges and most parkways); Mass Transit (with oversight over MBTA and RTAs); Aeronautics; and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
This law helps secure the state’s economic future by radically simplifying bureaucracy and delivering real cost savings by curbing out-of-scale health and pension benefits. Combined with a new source of dedicated revenue, this transportation law puts an end to decades of neglect and inaction by building a unified transportation organization that supports economic growth by fixing broken roads and bridges, investing in regional equity and strengthening public transit.
Devocalization of Dogs and Cats
Legislation to prohibit the devocalization of dogs and cats, of which Sánchez co-sponsored during the 2009-2010 legislative session, successfully passed into law and prohibits the surgical debarking of a dog or cat unless deemed medically necessary by a licensed veterinarian. The surgical removal of a dog or cat’s vocal cords would only be performed to treat or relieve an illness, disease, or injury, or to correct an abnormality that is causing or will cause harm or pain.
Devocalization procedures are typically performed to muffle or eliminate dog barking or cat meowing. The law will no longer allow owners the ability to surgically remove the vocal cords of their dog or cat unless deemed medically necessary by a licensed veterinarian to treat the animal. Failure to comply with this provision will result in imprisonment for up to five years. The veterinarian must file a written certification with the city or town state the surgery is medically necessary.
Devocalization procedures are surgically invasive, run a high risk of infection, and pose health risks following the procedure. Such problems could threaten the health of the animal as well as those around it.